"Lynda Hull" wrote in message
u...
Firstly, I'm a newbie, so my apologies to all!

I have just purchased a 3/4 acre property in the Sunshine Coast Hinterland
(Qld). About half of this property (say 3/8ths of an acre) is just lawn
which I would like to turn into a mini-orchard. The only problem is that
I
can't work out how to plant this mini-orchard.

You see the part that I want to plant is a triangle shape. It is also on
a
very slight incline.

Here are some of my questions?

1. Should I plant all one type of tree or do I need to companion plant or
do I just do it higgily-piggily?

As you are not trying to be a commercial grower, then plant a variety of
things you like to eat, if you other half likes something else, then they
can plant it as well. ( Get them working on it too!) The kids might just
love planting a tree for the future and watching it grow, then eating the
fruit!

2. Should I plant along the incline or straight up and down?

Plant so you can water it easily with say drip lines. If you are going to
plow the ground, then plow at the same level along the side of the hill so
you don't create an erosion path. Don't plant under power lines or in other
silly places.

3. I'm leaning towards planting mango's and macadamia nut trees (about
the
only things that we all eat), but how many trees would be too many?

The macadamia tree makes a great windbreak and with water grows quickly.
There are about a dozen varieties grown commercially, but I just have the
young ones from the tree at the back door which are doing great in the
paddock and the parent tree does quite well cause it has it's roots in my
septic tank. You can get a variety of trees going from cuttings like
mulberries. Mangoes grow readily from seed and if you have a nice one to
eat, then plant the seed.

4. Can you successfully grow peach and plum trees in my climate?

There is a "Low Chill" peach available that will fruit commercially in some
parts of SE Qld, and the DPI have a booklet available for a few dollars
about peaches. My peach tree has fruited heavily for the past ten years and
I have yet to get a single peach cause the birds, bugs and cows all like
them greener than I do!

5. Should I go in neat little rows, or just plant them all over the
place?

For commercial planting rows allow for easier access for tractors and other
machinery, but if you are pruning by hand (or chainsaw) or picking for your
own needs, I don't see this as being a requirement. Some of the best looking
gardens are planted all over the place. Have a look at the land and see
where gets the most water when it rains, where gets the best drainage, where
does nothing grow? I tend to put similar trees together so they can
pollinate each other easily, but that may not be required except for things
like papaw. Maybe I'm just a bit eccentric!


I think it's important to get it right first time, so please forgive my
stupid questions.

Regards,
Lynda